Euro 2024: Lamine Yamal becomes Youngest Goal Scorer in Euros history
Euro 2024: Lamine Yamal becomes Youngest Goal Scorer in Euros history
In a historic moment, 16-year-old Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to score at a major tournament, netting a spectacular goal for Spain against France in their European Championship semifinal on Tuesday.
Yamal struck in the 21st minute, curling the ball brilliantly past France’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan from 25 yards into the top left corner.
🇪🇸 Magnificent Yamal! @Vivo_GLOBAL | #EUROPOTM pic.twitter.com/nFlMcvG3w7
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 9, 2024
Broke the record of Pele
At 16 years and 362 days old, Yamal broke the record previously held by Pele, who scored at the 1958 World Cup at the age of 17 years and 239 days.
The youngest scorer at a European Championship before Yamal was Swiss player Johan Vonlanthen, who was 18 years and 141 days old when he scored against France at Euro 2004.
Yamal arrived at Euro 2024 with several “youngest” records and has inevitably set more.
- He became the youngest player to feature at a men’s Euro when he started in Spain’s opening 3-0 win over Croatia.
The Barcelona teenager was already the youngest player to debut and score in the Spanish league at 15, the youngest player to start in the Champions League, and the youngest to score for Spain.
Yamal’s goal on Tuesday canceled out Randal Kolo Muani’s opener for France, which was set up by Kylian Mbappé. Spain led France 2-1 at halftime, turning the match around four minutes after Yamal’s equalizer when Dani Olmo’s goal-bound shot was deflected into the net by France defender Jules Koundé. Initially ruled an own-goal by UEFA, it was later awarded to Olmo.
Spain, aiming for a record fourth European Championship title, will face either England or the Netherlands in the final on Sunday in Berlin.